[AT YOUR SERVICE]

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Military families urged
to join TRICARE Prime

AT YOUR SERVICE

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Star-Bulletin staff

Tripler Army Medical Center advises eligible military families to enroll in TRICARE Prime, the military health care program, as soon as possible.

Appointment priority in a military treatment facility goes to active duty members first, then to TRICARE Prime members.

Many changes will occur in the military health care program Oct. 1 and it will be more difficult for those not enrolled in TRICARE Prime to be seen in military facilities, Tripler said.

Other facilities on Oahu include: U.S. Army Health Clinic, Schofield Barracks; Naval Branch Medical Clinic, Kaneohe Bay; Naval Branch Medical Clinic, Makalapa; Barbers Point Medical Clinic; Sand Island Coast Guard Clinic; and 15th Medical Group -- Hickam Air Force Base. TRICARE Prime enrollment is for one year and re-enrollment is automatic for those whose fees are current.

Those eligible for TRICARE Prime include:

>> Active-duty service members and families. There is no enrollment fee or co-payment for this group.

>> Eligible military retirees under 65 years old and their families. The annual enrollment fee is $230 per year for one person; $460 per year if two or more family members are enrolled. Quarterly payments are available.

Call toll-free, 1-800-242-6788, option No. 1, for enrollment assistance. An enrollment application also can be downloaded from http://www.tricare.osd.mil. Mail it in or take it to the nearest TRICARE office.